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Wollet makes his own path

POLAND – Adam Wollet has been continuously compared to his older brother, Luke, who was a hard-hitting safety at Kent State University and helped lead the Golden Flashes to a Mid-American Conference-East Division title in 2012.

“He accepts that, smiles about it,” Poland coach Mark Brungard said. “He’s proud of his brother. Obviously Luke has had a good career here and at Kent State. Adam made a name for himself. He really has. He’s a different type of player. He’s a linebacker, thicker. He’s established his own reputation in our league and our valley as a high school football player as linebacker/tight end. Our team looks up to him as one of our bonafide leaders.”

It doesn’t faze Adam. In fact, you can bet that comparison has fueled the Poland senior to be a stronger linebacker.

“Yeah, you do hear that, but the older I’ve got the less that comes around. I always looked up to my brother and that’s not a bad thing to have in your family, have that chip on your shoulder and get your name out there a little bit more,” Adam said.

He had 111 tackles last season and was the heart of the Bulldogs defense in 2013. He looks to be even better this season, Brungard said.

He only stands 6-foot, 220 pounds. He doesn’t have a blazing 40-yard dash time, but you can bet he’ll hit the heck out of an opponent.

“For Adam, all you have to do is turn on the tape and watch him make plays, run around,” Brungard said. “He’s real physical. He’s instinctive. He’ll get to a back in an area you wouldn’t think you’d get to him, make a tackle for loss. He’s had a lot of game-changing plays for us. It’s nice to have him back.”

For Poland, it’s nice Adam had the backing of Luke growing up. It helped the Poland senior develop into one of the toughest tacklers in the area.

“Before he ever started hitting at Kent, he was hitting me at home. I guess I get that little bit of toughness from him,” Adam said. “One of the most important things someone told me is hit through the heart and make sure you’re standing when you make a tackle. I’ve taken that to heart. You don’t want to be diving, you want to be a tough kid. You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.”

So who wins today’s head-to-head battle?

Luke, 6-0, 198, was used to spearing the opposition in the secondary. Adam usually grinds it out behind the line and does a lot of grunt work – hammering running backs.

“I take myself,” Adam said. “He’s a tough kid, but I think I’ve got him on the body. Safeties, he’s a little messed up in the head. He’s still plays back there. He’s not down in that box. I’ll take myself.”

Luke, who is currently a defensive back coach at Cincinnati St. Xavier High School, wanted him to follow in his footsteps to KSU, but the Golden Flashes have two early commits from linebackers. That leaves Columbia, Patriot League and FCS schools, like Youngstown State, still looking at Adam.

The two have brought much success to the Bulldogs.

“They know their roles and are instinctive, but they get a feel for the game. They both have that. It’s a natural talent they were born with. Thankfully he’s wearing a P on his helmet and playing for us,” Brungard said.

But the differences end there. Look at Adam’s long, flowing wavy hair that his shoulder length. He said you won’t find that kind of mane on his older brother.

“He shaves every now and then, so I think I do now. You have to look at his and look at mine and see for yourself,” Adam said.

Typical brothers.

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